Key Points
- Leeds United face increased competition from rival Premier League clubs in their pursuit of Fulham winger Harry Wilson, according to former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown.
- Wilson, aged 28, has six months left on his Fulham contract, expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season, making January a critical window for any transfer.
- The Welsh international has recorded a combined ten goals and assists in 19 Premier League appearances this season, including a goal in Fulham’s recent 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
- A deadline-day move to Leeds fell through last summer despite late negotiations, with Fulham pulling the plug amid their own transfer issues.
- Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Wilson’s form and contract status have alerted multiple clubs, stating: “Harry Wilson is attracting a lot of interest. It’s not just Leeds in for him any more”.
- Fulham, who signed Wilson from Liverpool for £12 million in 2021, are determined to retain him but may consider bids to avoid losing him for free.
- Reports suggest Leeds could reignite interest, but rivals like Everton have shown interest, complicating the race.
- Wilson has been a regular starter under Marco Silva, contributing five goals and four assists in 21 appearances per some sources, and creating 18 chances (1.2 per game).
Leeds United could miss out on Fulham’s Harry Wilson as rival interest intensifies. Mick Brown, former chief scout at Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, warned that the Whites face a significant hurdle in their bid for the 28-year-old winger. As reported by Mick Brown exclusively to Football Insider, Wilson’s impressive form and expiring contract have drawn attention from multiple Premier League clubs.
- Key Points
- Who is Harry Wilson and why is he linked with Leeds?
- What happened in Fulham’s recent Liverpool draw?
- Why have rival clubs joined the race for Harry Wilson?
- What is Fulham’s stance on Harry Wilson’s future?
- What did Mick Brown say about the transfer hurdle?
- Could Leeds reignite their interest in January?
- How has Harry Wilson performed for Wales?
The inverted pyramid structure prioritises the most critical developments: Leeds’s summer deal collapsed on deadline day, and now competitors have entered the fray, potentially derailing a January move. Fulham remain keen to extend Wilson’s stay, but financial pressures could force their hand. This saga underscores the high stakes of the January transfer window, with Wilson’s international pedigree adding further intrigue.
Who is Harry Wilson and why is he linked with Leeds?
Harry Wilson, the 28-year-old Welsh forward, joined Fulham from Liverpool in 2021 for £12 million after a loan spell at Craven Cottage. He has since become a key figure under manager Marco Silva, starting regularly in the 2025-26 Premier League season. According to StatMuse data, Wilson has amassed 14 goals and 10 assists in 98 Premier League appearances for Fulham across his career, with strong showings in recent seasons.
In the current campaign, Wilson has notched a combined ten goals and assists in 19 league outings, per Mick Brown’s assessment to Football Insider. Alternative stats from FotMob, cited in Mot Leeds News, highlight his creativity: 18 chances created at 1.2 per game, outpacing Leeds’s current wingers like Noah Okafor (11 chances). One-versus-One metrics further detail five goals, five assists, 23 shots on target, 15 progressive carries, and 27 passes into the opposition box.
Leeds targeted Wilson last summer to bolster their right-wing options, working on a deal until the final minutes, but Fulham withdrew at the 11th hour amid their transfer woes. The club, nicknamed the Peacocks or Whites, sees him as an upgrade, particularly for set-pieces and open-play creation.
What happened in Fulham’s recent Liverpool draw?
Fulham’s 2-2 thriller against Liverpool on 4 January 2026 showcased Wilson’s value, earning him Player of the Match honours from Sky Sports. As detailed by senior football journalist Peter Smith of Sky Sports, Wilson opened the scoring in the first half, giving the Cottagers a lead at Craven Cottage.
Florian Wirtz equalised for Liverpool after a VAR decision overturned an offside call, aided by Conor Bradley’s work. Cody Gakpo appeared to win it for the Reds in the fourth minute of stoppage time, shovelling in Jeremie Frimpong’s cross, but Harrison Reed’s 97th-minute screamer from 30 yards rescued a point for Fulham. The Premier League match report confirmed Wilson’s half-time goal as pivotal, with Reed’s strike—his first league goal since April 2023—sealing the drama.
This performance, Wilson’s latest highlight, has heightened transfer buzz, as noted by Mick Brown: “He’s been impressive this season, scored some wonderful goals”.
Why have rival clubs joined the race for Harry Wilson?
Mick Brown, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, revealed that Leeds no longer stand alone:
“It’s not just Leeds in for him any more, he’s showing this season what he can do when he’s at his best, and that’s alerted a lot of clubs”.
He added:
“Any team in the Premier League who are struggling on the right-hand side would benefit from having Harry Wilson in this kind of form”.
SportsBoom’s Neil Goulding reported exclusively that Everton have expressed interest, planning a bid for the out-of-contract star. TransferFeed echoed this, noting Leeds remain in pole position if funds are released, but Everton’s wing needs pose competition. Brown elaborated on 10 December to Football Insider: Fulham brace for bids, with January offering a cheaper deal prospect.
Fulham’s concerns grow as no new contract has materialised, despite earlier hopes. Brown stated in September:
“Fulham are happy to keep Wilson at Craven Cottage after he missed out on a deadline day move to Leeds”.
What is Fulham’s stance on Harry Wilson’s future?
Fulham are “determined to keep Harry Wilson,” per Mick Brown to Football Insider, but his contract expiry looms. The club activated a one-year extension in June, taking it to 2026, as Wilson himself noted:
“The option was just in case a deal doesn’t get done. My main option would be to sign a new deal at Fulham”.
Earlier reports from SportsBoom indicated closeness to a long-term deal post-Wales captaincy, but progress stalled. Mick Brown in December:
“Fulham obviously won’t want to let him go because he’s become an important player for them, they’d like to tie him down to a new contract. He deserves a reward”.
Mot Leeds News, citing the Mirror, suggests Fulham “may entertain bids” to recoup value before a free exit.
Brown affirmed:
“Playing for Fulham suits him… I think if he was to leave Fulham, it would be to a similar sort of club in the Premier League”.
Football Insider revealed in September that Fulham planned a U-turn to offer fresh terms after the Leeds collapse.
What did Mick Brown say about the transfer hurdle?
Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown, with over a decade at Old Trafford during their glory era, provided exclusive insights to Football Insider. On the rival interest:
“I expect Leeds are still interested, but it will be more difficult now because of the rival clubs. Fulham want to keep hold of him as well”.
In a prior update, Brown praised Wilson’s fit:
“Wilson, to his credit, has done extremely well so far this season… His contract situation means there will always be interest, even in January”.
He dismissed easy exits:
“If he’s not going to sign a new contract at Fulham, there are a few clubs I could think of who will be looking to tempt him away”.
Brown’s connections underline the alert status: performances like the Liverpool goal have “placed clubs on alert”.
Could Leeds reignite their interest in January?
Mot Leeds News reports that a Wilson transfer is “back on the cards” after Fulham updates, given the contract risk. Leeds, desperate for a right-winger despite Brenden Aaronson’s form, view January as pivotal. TransferFeed claims Leeds lead Everton, provided funds materialise ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, Fulham losing a regular starter would hurt, especially mid-season. Wilson’s openness to moves stems from playing time needs, per sources. Brown cautioned: rival bids and Fulham’s resolve create the “hurdle”.
How has Harry Wilson performed for Wales?
Wilson captains Wales, recently leading in World Cup qualifying with a 7-1 win noted in recent matches. Football Critic lists strong outings: 90 minutes in a WCQ win on 18 November 2025. His international form bolsters club appeal.